Jan Vertonghen: Ajax following Spurs defender’s situation “very closely”, hints Ten Hag

Ajax boss Erik ten Hag says the club are closely monitoring Jan Vertonghen’s contract situation at Tottenham Hotspur and has hinted at a possible reunion in the summer.

The 32-year-old will see his present Spurs deal expire in the summer, but he is free to enter negotiations with foreign clubs at this present moment.

Could Vertonghen re-join Ajax? Five things to know…

• Vertonghen came through the Ajax academy and featured over 200 times for the club before Spurs swooped in 2012.
• Since then he has become a mainstay in the heart of the club’s defence, amassing more than 300 appearances for Spurs.
• Vertonghen’s representative hasn’t ruled out the possibility of a contract extension, but a deal has failed to materialise thus far.
• The Belgian has been linked with a move back to Ajax and is free to talk to foreign clubs.
• Ten Hag has now fanned the flames on a potential deal after revealing Ajax are keeping a close eye on his situation in London.

Vertonghen’s agent hasn’t ruled out the possibility of his client extending his stay in north London, but as things stand the Belgian is yet to put pen to paper.

As such, the versatile defender has been linked with a move away from north London, with Ajax mooted as a possible destination.

Vertonghen progressed through the Amsterdam club’s esteemed academy in 2006 and scooped the club’s Player of the Year accolade in 2012 prior to relocating to Spurs, and a reunion could be on the cards if Ten Hag’s latest comments are anything to go by.

“Jan has a history at Ajax,” he told Dutch TV channel Ziggo Sport.

“Of course we are following his situation very closely, but you also have to look at the position in which someone plays.

“If that comes together, the availability and the position in which he plays, then he is an option.

“There is no question of any age limit here. If someone is good enough, it doesn’t matter how old he is.”

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Vertonghen agent: He is still very committed to Spurs

Despite the recent speculation surrounding Vertonghen and the fact he is yet to sign a new deal in the capital, his representative, Tom de Mul, has reaffirmed his client’s commitment to Spurs.

He said: “Jan still wants to achieve great things with Spurs. He wants to qualify for the Europa or Champions League, to win the FA Cup. He is 32, but still very ambitious.

“He is focused. He still has so many targets. The Euros are a super important goal too. Jan is still super happy at Spurs and loves London. He is still very committed.

“There’s a lot of respect for Tottenham, just like there is a lot of respect from the club towards us. That’s logical after eight seasons. There is a connection.”